Oregon Man Convicted of Possessing and Transporting Child Pornography

NEWARK, N.J. - A Newberg, Oregon man was convicted of possessing and transporting child pornography after a multi-day trial, U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer announced.

Jayson Setera, 51, of Newberg, Oregon, was convicted by a federal jury of one count of possession of prepubescent child pornography and one count of transportation of child pornography following a multi-day trial before U.S. District Judge Jamel K. Semper in Newark federal court. Sentencing is scheduled for August 17.

"The sexual exploitation of children is a grave crime that fuels ongoing abuse, and it will not be tolerated in this District. This defendant possessed and transported material that victimized some of the most vulnerable among us, and this conviction reflects our unwavering commitment to find, prosecute, and hold accountable those who traffic in child sexual abuse material and to protect victims of these heinous crimes."

- U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

On January 22, 2024, Setera returned from an international trip aboard a flight that landed at Newark Liberty International Airport. Law enforcement searched Setera's cellular phone and found approximately 170 photographs and 8 videos depicting child sexual abuse material, including material involving pre-pubescent minors. Law enforcement also found messages from Setera soliciting child pornography and referring to the sexual abuse of young children. In addition, law enforcement found payments from Setera to the individuals sending him child pornography.

The charge of transportation of child pornography carries a statutory mandatory minimum penalty of five years in prison and a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison. The charge of possession of prepubescent child pornography carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison. Each count also carries a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greatest.

U.S. Attorney Frazer credited special agents of the Homeland Security Investigations ("HSI"), under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Michael S. McCarthy and officers from Customs and Border Protection ("CBP"), under the direction of New York Director of Field Operation Frank Russo, with the investigation leading to the conviction.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) in the Justice Department's Criminal Division, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit: https://www.justice.gov/pscLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert L. Toll and Matthew Specht of the U.S. Attorney's Office in Newark.

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Defense counsel: Tyler Newman, Esq.